Container for materials of greaselike consistency



CONTAINER FOR MATERIALS OF GREASE-LIKE CONSISTENCY Filed Aug. 16, 1965 W. H. GEIBEL Aug. 15, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. WALTER H. GEIBEL MJ ATTORNEY W. H. GEIBEL Aug. 15, 1967 CONTAINER FOR MATERIALS OF GREASE-LIKE CONSISIENCY 2 Sheets-Sheet-Z Filed Aug. 16, 196E INVENTOR.

WALTER H. GEIBEL BY ATTORNEY bulk quantities of parent from the following United States Patent 3,335,918 CONTAINER FOR MATERIALS 0F GREASE- LIKE CUNSKSTENCY Walter H. Geibel, Philadelphia, Pa., assignor to The Atlantic Refining Company, Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed Aug. 16, 1965, Ser. No. 479,730 Claims. (Cl. 222-386) This invention relates to an improved dispensing container for grease or materials of grease-like consistency and more particularly, to an improved dispensing container and follower for bulk quantities of grease.

Heretofore there has not been available a satisfactory container for transporting, storing and dispensing grease or materials of grease-like consistency in bulk quantities, that is volumes in excess of 2,000 pounds. Whereas dis- I pensing containers provided with a follower and having a grease capacity of about 100 pounds are known, their designs are not suitable for ease of filling and dispensing bulk quantities of grease.

In addition, followers which heretofore have been used with bulk or smaller quantity dispensing containers are also unsatisfactory. Such followers are provided with a peripheral ring of rubber or other resilient material which forms a seal between the follower and the side wall of the container. The peripheral ring of resilient material prevents the contents of the container from seeping past the follower into the empty portion of the container, wipes the side wall of the container clean of the contents, and allows the follower to pass, unobstructed, over indentations or other inward deformations in the side wall of the .container as the contents of the container are removed. 1 Unfortunately,

the peripheral ring has a tendency to wear during use, particularly when the follower is utilized in a bulk quantity container. As the peripheral ring wears the seal is lost and consequently the follower fails to function properly. Eventually the peripheral ring has to be replaced thus necessitating maintenance.

- It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an improved dispensing container for bulk quantities of .grease or materials of grease-like consistency.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved follower for use in a dispensing container for grease or materials of grease-like consistency.

Attainment of these and other objects will become apdescription of this invention and the embodiment illustrated in FIGURES 14 wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of

I the container.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the container. FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the follower. FIG. 4 is a fragmentary section taken on the line 44 jof FIG. 3.

afollower 14 adapted for up and down movement in the container. The follower 14 is comprised of a conical :shaped bottom wall 15 and an up-standing side wall 16 which is provided with a peripheral resilient sealing member 17, described hereinafter in detail. The conical shaped bottom wall 15 of the follower has a slope slightly less than the slope of the conical shaped bottom wall 11 of the container so that there is a very slight gap between the bottom wall 11 of the container and the bottom wall ice 15 of the follower when the follower is in its lowest position. It is preferred that the bottom walls of the follower and container do not come into face-to-face contact because the adhesive force of the small amounts of grease present on the surface of the bottom walls holds them tightly together thus making it difiicult to lift the follower away from the bottom wall of the container.

The container also is provided with a removable measuring rod 18 having one of its ends threaded externally for engagement with an internally threaded coupling 19 that is welded or fixed in some other suitable manner to the top face of the bottom wall 15 of the follower. Gu-ssets 20 can be utliized to further support the coupling. The measuring rod 13 is inserted into the container for engagement with the coupling 19 through an externally threaded pipe 21 fixed to the cover plate 22 that has a central opening 23 for receiving the threaded pipe 21. A lifting lug 24 is welded to the end of the measuring rod to facilitate raising the follower when it is in its lowest position. The measuring rod 18 when not attached to the follower is conveniently stored in one of the vertical legs 25 which supports the container and which is provided with an opening for receiving the measuring rod. Any suitable type of screw cap can be used to cover the threaded pipe 21 when the measuring rod is in its storage position.

The bottom wall 15 of the follower is provided with an opening 26, a fill pipe 27, and a removable cap 28 therefor through which the container can be filled. Preferably the bottom wall of the follower is provided with a second opening 29 and a vent 30 to allow air to escape from the inside of the container as it is being filled. The vent can be of the same design as the fill pipe as shown in the drawing.

When it is desired to fill the container the measuring rod 18 is lifted to raise the follower to its uppermost position. To hold the follower in this position as the container is being filled the measuring rod 18 is provided with a hole 31 through which any suitable type of pin can be inserted. Referring now to FIGURE 2 the cover plate 22 is provided with an off-center opening 32 that is covered with a hinged lid 33. The off-center opening 32 is in alignment with the fill pipe 27 so that the container can be filled conveniently without removing the cover plate.

In a general sense, the follower is adapted to prevent the contents of the container from seeping past the follower into the empty portion of the container, to wipe the side wall clean of the contents, and to pass over, unobstructed, inward deformations in the side wall of the container as the contents of the container are being removed, and includes a peripheral resilient sealing member capable of being adjusted and a pressure applying member for adjusting the sealing member radially outward against the side wall of the container to form a tight seal between the follower and side wall of the container. Thus, as the sealing member wears, a tight seal can be maintained by utilizing the pressure applying member. More specifically, and with reference to FIGURES 3 and 4, the side wall 16 of the follower is provided with a peripheral resilient sealing member 17 for contact with the side wall of the container. Preferably, the sealing member is comprised of a plurality of thicknesses of lattice braid packing composed of Teflon impregnated White asbestos. This material is preferred because it does not deteriorate in the presence of grease over long periods of time and it retains its resiliency over a wide range of temperatures. The base of the resilient sealing member is supported by a fixed shoulder ring 34, peripheral the side wall 16 of the follower, and has an outer diameter 9 less than the diameter of the resilient sealing member. The pressure applying member includes a rigid ring 35 in telescopic relationship with the side wall 16 of the follower and the side Wall of the container 10, having its bottom edge in contact with the top portion of the resilient sealing member 17. The rigid ring 35 is provided with a plurality of inward projecting flanges 36 spaced circumferentially around its inner face. Each of the flanges is provided with a hole 37 and a bolt 38 inserted therein. The inner face of the side wall 16 of the container is provided with a plurality of internally threaded lugs 39 and each of the lugs is in alignment with one of the flanges 36 for engagement with the bolt 38. Thus as the resilient sealing member 17 wears and the seal between between the side wall of the follower and container is lost, each of the bolts 38 is tightened thereby causing the rigid ring 35 to move against the top portion of the resilient sealing member 17 to compress it, thereby urging it radially outward against the side wall of the container to once again obtain a tight seal.

It should be understood that the container may be of any suitable shape as long as its cross section is uniform. Whereas it is preferred that the sealing member be comprised of Teflon impregnated white asbestos, obviously other resilient materials may be used such as for example, rubber, polyethylene, and the like.

I claim:

1. A dispensing container for bulk quantities of grease or materials of grease-like consistency comprising:

(1) a container of uniform cross section having a conical bottom, and

(2) a follower located therein adapted to prevent the contents from seeping into the empty portion of the container, to wipe the side wall clean of the contents, and to pass unobstructed over inward deformations in the side wall of the container as the contents are being removed, said follower including:

(a) a bottom wall having a conical shape, the slope of which is slightly less than the slope of the bottom of the container.

(b) a side wall forming a closure with said bottom wall,

(c) a resilient sealing member peripherally of said follower side wall for contact with the side wall of said container, said sealing member having a top and bottom portion,

((1) a pressure applying member in contact with the top portion of said sealing member,

(e) means for moving said pressure applying member against the top portion of said sealing member, and

(f) rneans substantially adjacent the bottom portion of said sealing member for preventing said sealing member from moving in the direction said pressure applying member moves so that when said pressure applying member moves against the top portion of said sealing member said sealing member is urged radially outward to be at all times exerting a wiping and sealing pressure against the container side wall.

2. A dispensing container for bulk quantities of grease or materials of grease-like consistency comprising:

(1) a container of uniform cross section having a conical bottom, and

(2) a follower located therein adapted to prevent the contents from seeping into the empty portion of the container, to wipe the side wall clean of the contents, and to pass unobstructed over inward deformations in the side wall of the container as the contents are being removed, said follower including:

(a) a bottom wall having a conical shape, the slope of which is slightly less than the slope of the bottom of the container,

(b) a side wall forming a closure with said bottom wall,

(c) a resilient sealing member peripherally of said follower side wall for contact with the side wall of said container, said sealing member having a top and bottom portion,

((1) a pressure applying member in contact with the top portion of said sealing member,

(e) a plurality of individually adjustable pressure applying means spaced circumferentially around and substantially adjacent to the top edge of pressure applying member, and

(f) means substantially adjacent the bottom portion of said sealing member for preventing said sealing member from moving in the direction said pressure applying member moves so that when said pressure applying member moves against the top portion of said sealing member said sealing member is urged radially outward to be at all times exerting a wiping and sealing pressure against the container side wall.

3. A cylindrical dispensing container for bulk quantities of grease or materials of greasedike consistency comprising:

(1) a cylindrical container of uniform cross section having (a) a top wall having a central opening and an offcenter opening provided with a lid,

(b) a vertical side wall, and

(c) a bottom wall having a conical shape and a central opening through which the contents of said container may be removed, and

(2) a circular follower located therein adapted to prevent the contents from seeping into the empty portion of the container, to wipe the side wall clean of the contents and to pass unobstructed over inward deformations in the side wall of the container, as the contents are being removed, said follower including:

(a) a bottom wall having a conical shape, the slope of which is slightly less than the slope of the bottom of the container,

(b) a cylindrical up-standing side wall forming a closure with said bottom wall,

(c) a resilient sealing member peripherally of said follower side wall for contact with the side wall of said container, said sealing member having a top and bottom portion,

(d) a fixed shoulder ring peripherally of said follower side wall and adjacent to the bottom of the resilient sealing member and having an outer diameter less than the outer diameter of said sealing member and utilized for supporting the bottom of said sealing member,

(e) annular pressure applying member peripherally of but not in contact with said follower side wall having an outer diameter less than the outer diameter of said sealing member, having its bottom edge in contact with the top of said sealing member, having a sufiicient height whereby its top edge extends slightly beyond the top edge of said follower side wall, and

(f) a plurality of individually adjustable pressure applying means spaced circumferentially around and substantially adjacent to the top edge of pressure applying member.

4. A circular follower for use in a cylindrical dispensing container for grease or materials of grease-like consistency and adapted to prevent the contents of the container from seeping past the follower into the empty portion of the container, to wipe the side wall clean of the contents and to pass unobstructed over inward deformations in the side wall of the container, as the contents are being removed, said follower including:

(a) a bottom wall having a conical shape (b) a cylindrical up-standing side wall forming a closure with said bottom wall,

(c) a resilient sealing member peripherally of said follower side wall for contact with the container side wall including a ring of at least one thickness of lattice braid packing comprised of Teflon plastic impregnated white asbestos,

(d) a fixed shoulder ring peripherally of said follower side wall and substantially adjacent to the intersection of said follower side wall and said follower bottom wall and having an outer diameter less than the outer diameter of said sealing member and utilized for supporting the bottom of said sealing member,

(e) an annular pressure applying member peripherally of but not in contact with said follower side wall having an outer diameter less than the outer diameter of said sealing member, having its bottom edge in contact with the top of said sealing member, having a suflicient height whereby its top edge extends slightly (f) a plurality of inwardly projecting flanges spaced circumferentially around and substantially adjacent the top edge of said pressure applying member and each of said flanges provided with a hole and a bolt inserted therein, and

(g) a plurality of internally threaded lugs spaced circumferentially around said follower side wall, each of said lugs in alignment with one of said flanges so as to receive the bolt whereby tightening of the bolt forces said pressure applying member against the top of said sealing member which thereby is urged radially outward to exert a wiping and sealing pressure against said container side Wall.

5. A cylindrical dispensing container comprising:

(a) a top wall having a central opening and an ofi-center opening provided with a lid,

(b) a vertical side wall,

(c) a bottom wall having a conical shape and a central opening through which the contents of said container may be removed,

(d) a circular follower for progressively wiping the contents of said container cleanly from said container side wall as the contents of said container are removed from said bottom wall openingv including,

(i) a bottom wall having a conical shape, the slope of which is slightly less than that of said container bottom wall,

(ii) a cylindrical side bottom wall forming a closure with said follower bottom wall said follower walls not in contact with said container side wall,

(iii) a compressible sealing member peripherally of said follower side wall and in contact with said container side wall including a ring of at least one thickness of lattice braid packing comprised of Teflon plastic impregnated white asbestos,

(iv) a fixed shoulder ring peripherally of said follower side wall and adjacent to the bottom of the resilient sealing member and having an outer diameter less than the outer diameter of said sealing member for supporting the bottom of said sealing member,

(v) an annular pressure applying member peripherally of but not in contact with said follower side wall having an outer diameter less than the outer diameter of said sealing member, having its bottom edge in contact with the top of said sealing member, having a suflicient height whereby its top edge extends slightly beyond the top edge of said follower side wall,

(vi) a plurality of inwardly projecting flanges spaced circumferentially around and substantially adjacent the top edge of said pressure applying member and each of said flanges provided with a hole and a bolt inserted therein,

(vii) a plurality of internally threaded lugs spaced circumferentially around said follower side Wall, each of said lugs in alignment with one of said flanges so as to receive the bolt whereby tightening of the bolt forces said pressure applying member against the top of said sealing member which thereby is urged radially outward to exert a wiping pressure against said container side wall,

(viii) a coupling fixed to the top side of said follower bottom wall in a vertical alignment with the central opening of said top wall through which is inserted,

(ix) a removable measuring rod having one of its ends threaded for engagement with said coup (x) at least one fill pipe fitted with a removable top mounted on the top side of said follower bottom wall in alignment with the off-center opening of said top wall whereby the container can be filled without having to remove said follower, and

(e) a plurality of vertical legs supporting said container, one of said legs provided with an opening for storing said measuring rod when it is not in engagement with said coupling.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 811,255 1/ 1906 Stallman 92-205 1,060,496 4/ 1913 Rouchleau 92205 1,915,512 6/1933 Bizzarri.

2,216,336 10/1940 Barnes et al 277-123 X 2,830,540 4/1958 Vincent 277-1l6.4 X 2,958,445 11/1960 Jesse 222-386 ROBERT B. REEVES, Primary Examiner. STANLEY H. TOLLBERG, Assistant Examiner,

UNITED sTATEs PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No 3 ,335 ,918 August 15 1967 Walter H. Geibel d that error appears in the above numbered pat- It is hereby certifie aid Letters Patent should read as ent requiring correction and that the s corrected below.

Column 5, lines 9 to ll, for "substantially adjacent to the intersection of said follower side wall and said follower bottoms wall" read adjacent to the bottom of the resilient sealing member line 47, strike out "bottom".

Signed and sealed this 25th day of June 1968.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD J. BRENNER Edward M. Fletcher, Jr.

Commissioner of Patents Attesting Officer 

1. A DISPENSING CONTAINER FOR BULK QUANTITIES OF GREASE OR MATERIALS OF GREASE-LIKE CONSISTENCY COMPRISING: (1) A CONTAINER OF UNIFORM CROSS SECTION HAVING A CONICAL BOTTOM, AND (2) A FOLLOWER LOCATED THEREIN ADAPTED TO PERVENT THE CONTENTS FROM SEEPING INTO THE EMPTY PORTION OF THE CONTAINER, TO WIPE THE SIDE WALL CLEAN OF THE CONTENTS, AND TO PASS UNOBSTRUCTED OVER INWARD DEFORMATIONS IN THE SIDE WALL OF THE CONTAINER AS THE CONTENTS ARE BEING REMOVED, SAID FOLLOWER INCLUDING: (A) A BOTTOM WALL HAVING A CONCIAL SHAPE, THE SLOPE OF WHICH IS SLIGHTLY LESS THAN THE SLOPE OF THE BOTTOM OF THE CONTAINER. (B) A SIDE WALL FORMING A CLOSURE WITH SAID BOTTOM WALL, (C) A RESILIENT SEALING MEMBER PERIPHERALLY OF SAID FOLLOWER SIDE WALL FOR CONTACT WITH THE SIDE WALL OF SAID CONTAINER, SAID SEALING MEMBER HAVING A TOP AND BOTTOM PORTION, (D) A PRESSURE APPLYING MEMBER IN CONTACT WITH THE STOP PORTION OF SAID SEALING MEMBER, (E) MEANS FOR MOVING SAID PRESSURE APPLYING MEMBER AGAINST THE TOP PORTION OF SAID SEALING MEMBER, AND (F) MEANS SUBSTANTIALLY ADJACENT THE BOTTOM PORTION OF SAID SEALING MEMBER FOR PREVENTING SAID SEALING MEMBER FROM MOVING IN THE DIRECTION 